FORT SMITH, Ark. – Outfielder Hunter Church hit a two-run, walk-off homer in the bottom of the 10th as University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Baseball defeated UT Tyler, 9-7, in the series opener at Crowder Field Friday.
With two outs, Church sent a blast over the fence in right center to give the Lions their fourth walk-off win this season.
Reliever Jakob Petross earned the win after tossing the final 5.1 and allowing just one run on four hits. He kept the Patriots off the scoreboard until the ninth when the Patriots tied the game at 7-7. However, retired the side in the 10th on just six pitches.
UAFS batted around in the bottom of the first by scoring five times and chasing the Patriot starting pitcher before he recorded an out. The first five batters reached safely with Church scoring the first run on a wild pitch.
First baseman Nolan Riley then tied the game at 2-2 with an RBI single to center. UAFS took the lead on an RBI single by designated hitter Kaleb Shaffer and third baseman Blayse Quarnstrom capped the inning with a two-run single to left center.
The Lions added to their lead in the third when the first three batters reached to load the bases and outfielder Kinner Brasher walked in a run. Second baseman Noah Davis would get an RBI via a walk as well, to push the lead to 7-2.
Starter Dylan Rollins settled in on the mound after allowing two runs in the first inning, putting up zeros in the second and third. UT Tyler eventually chased Rollins in the fifth by scoring three times to make it 7-6 in favor of the Lions. Rollins pitched 4.2 innings, allowing six runs on four hits. He struck out four.
UAFS had a chance to win in the bottom of the ninth after shortstop Brooks Sunny singled and advanced to third on a pair of wild pitches with one out, but the next two batters each struck out to leave him stranded.
Davis and Sunny each collected two hits while Church and Quarnstrom each had two RBIs. Eight different Lions scored a run.
The two teams continue the series Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
